After recent speculation over the future of BC Place — and who could control it — the province is now delivering a clear message: the stadium is not for sale.
This comes after reports that BC Lions owner Amar Doman has been interested in buying or managing BC Place for more than two years.
“We did get a letter from the BC Lions saying they would be interested, but we’re not interested,” Jobs and Economic Growth Minister Ravi Kahlon told CityNews.
“To be clear, no one has put a [formal] bid in to buy it.”
While the province is slamming the door on the idea of a purchase, Kahlon says the Lions may have the opportunity to be involved in the operation of BC Place in a “different way.”
“We look forward to seeing what that proposal would be.”
The Vancouver Whitecaps have also been part of conversations about the stadium’s future.
Kahlon says those discussions have focused on a possible lease for the team, which has been in search of a new owner since late 2024.
“We’re going to continue to work with the Whitecaps to find a way for them to remain in British Columbia.”
The goal is to help the club generate more revenue.
The province has already signed a one-year deal for 2026, giving the ‘Caps an annual return of roughly $1.5 million in game-day profits.
Kahlon says the province has asked the Whitecaps for a detailed proposal, but any agreement must come with no new net cost to taxpayers. BC Place would also have to remain available for major public events.
Taxpayers have invested heavily in the stadium, including upgrades for the World Cup, and more notably, the retractable roof – costing more than $500 million when it was completed in 2011.
Kahlon says BC Place is now close to breaking even after years of needing greater public support.
PavCo – which owns and operates BC Place – values the stadium at roughly $300 million, according to the Crown corporation’s latest financial report in 2025, with land assessed at about $70 million.
